Description
Book SynopsisIn . . . And Communications for All, 16 leading communications policy scholars present a comprehensive telecommunications policy agenda for the new federal administration. This agenda emphasizes the potential of information technologies to improve democratic discourse, social responsibility, and the quality of life along with the means by which it can be made available to all Americans. Schejter has assembled an analysis of the reasons for the failure of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and offers an international benchmark for the future of telecommunications. Addressing a range of topics, including network neutrality, rural connectivity, media ownership, minority ownership, spectrum policy, universal broadband policy, and media for children, it articulates a comprehensive vision for the United States as a twenty-first-century information society that is both internally inclusive and globally competitive.
Trade ReviewFew issues are more fundamental to the healthy functioning of our democracy than the existence of an open and diverse media system. For too long Communication scholars have been absent from ongoing policy debates about how to best achieve this goal. This timely and excellent collection of essays, written by some of the leading scholars in the field, goes a long way to remedying this abdication of our public interest obligation. -- Michael X. Delli Carpini, Dean, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
These respected authors serve up a rich banquet of food for thought. It should be required reading for policymakers — and those who want to influence them, as well. Just as innovative technologies will continue to drive our economic growth, the creative proposals in this book should drive innovation in developing the communications agenda to meet the new challenges we face. -- The Honorable Jonathan S. Adelstein
It is remarkable to find a book that genuinely integrates the work of contributing authors. Amit Schejter has accomplished that in this work, bringing together many of the brightest minds in communications policy to make a forceful set of policy recommendations on the full range of current issues, from wireline regulation and universal service to public television. -- David Waterman, professor, Department of Telecommunications, Indiana University
There is a lot of useful insight and some original ideas here. -- Chris Sterling * Communication Booknotes Quarterly, April-June 2009, Vol 40.2 *
[A] must-read for policy makers, educators, industry leaders, and others interested in bringing US communications into the 21st century. . . . Highly recommended. * CHOICE, October 2009 *
And Communications for All offers many essential policy adjustments that the new administration should implement to promote a more affordable, open communications network that advances democracy and enhances freedom. -- Gene Kimmelman, Vice President, Federal and International Affairs, Consumer Union
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Part 2 Frameworks Chapter 3 Broadband, Internet, and Universal Service: Challenges to the Social Contract of the Twenty-First Century Chapter 4 Digital Media, Modern Democracy, and Our Truncated National Debate Chapter 5 Public Scholarship and the Communications Policy Agenda Chapter 6 International Benchmarks: The Crisis in U.S. Communications Policy through a Comparative Lens Part 7 Infastructures and Industries Chapter 8 Competition and Investment in Wireline Broadband Chapter 9 U.S. Cable TV Policy: Managing the Transition to Broadband Chapter 10 A Spectrum Policy Agenda Chapter 11 The Way Forward for Wireless Chapter 12 Rethinking the Media Ownership Policy Agenda Part 13 Access Chapter 14 Universal Service Chapter 15 America's Forgotten Challenge: Rural Access Chapter 16 Municipal Broadband Chapter 17 The Future of the E-Rate: U.S. Universal Service Fund Support for Public Access and Social Services Part 18 Content Chapter 19 Public Service Media 2.0 Chapter 20 Creating a Media Policy Agenda for the Digital Generation Chapter 21 Race and Media: Several Key Proposals for the Next Administration
